Beyond The Crops

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops , where farm life meets real life! In this episode, we're diving into one of the most requested topics we've ever covered: mold illness and the surprising ways our homes can impact our health. Joining us is functional medicine practitioner Keri Anania, who helps us unpack the connection between mold exposure, chronic inflammation, nervous system dysregula...

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops , where farm life meets real life! In this heartfelt and high-energy episode, Jena and Mary Pat recap a weekend they’ll never forget—running a half-marathon together, hosting a big family birthday party, and reflecting on friendship, motherhood, faith, and what it means to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. From race-day nerves and matching patriotic outfits to th...

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! In this episode, Jena and Mary Pat cover everything from 4-H projects and half marathon plans to summer hosting chaos—but the heart of this conversation is a major life update Jena shares about her family’s ongoing mold journey. After receiving a 316-page inspection report, Jena and Levi are facing some incredibly difficult decisio...

In this episode of Beyond the Crops , Jena and Mary Pat catch up on all things summer — from marathon training and recovery wins to building intentional family bucket lists for the season ahead. MP shares an encouraging update on her healing journey and Jena celebrates a huge milestone in her half-marathon training with her first pain-free eight-mile run, and together they dive into the realities...

This week on Beyond the Crops, we're catching up on life lately. Jenna shares highlights from her family's trip to the Black Hills of South Dakota, including Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Jewel Cave, and their experience staying at Under Canvas Mount Rushmore. From family road trip tips to underrated vacation destinations, this episode is packed with travel inspiration. Mary Pat...

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! In this fun, start of summer episode, Jena and Mary Pat dive into the reality of balancing busy farm seasons with making intentional family memories. From summer travel plans and farm-life logistics to parenting reflections, boundaries around time off, and the bittersweet realization that we only get so many summers with our kids,...

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops , where farm life meets real life! In this episode, Jena and Mary Pat sit down for a real conversation about homeschooling, motherhood, slowing down, and choosing a lifestyle that better aligns with their family values. From the chaos of rushed school mornings and planting season schedules to the freedom and challenges of creating a new normal, the two open up abou...

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! In this incredibly vulnerable and emotional episode, Jena and Mary Pat catch up on the realities of planting season before Jena shares the long-awaited, and heartbreaking, results of her home mold inspection. After a 12-hour inspection by a team of specialists from Florida, she walks through the devastating findings, the emotional...

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! It's the thick of planting season, and in this episode, Jena and Mary Pat are catching up on everything from their very different weather situations to some major updates on the home front. Jena finally has the long-awaited mold inspector at her house, and she's sharing all the details of what it's like to navigate t...

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! In this packed episode, Jena and Mary Pat are catching up on everything from spring break shenanigans and pre-planting progress to some seriously exciting life updates. Mary Pat drops a bombshell announcement that will change her family's life. Plus, Jena gives an incredible deep dive into the world of practical homeopathy, sh...

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! In this very special episode, Jena and Mary Pat are joined by a beloved repeat guest who just so happened to be sleeping in the basement: Mary Pat's dad, Jack! As a farmer who started his career in the incredibly tough economy of the 1980s, Jack brings a lifetime of wisdom and a much-needed perspective to the challenges facing...

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! This week, Jena and Mary Pat are pulling back the curtain to talk about the parts of farm life you don't always see on social media. After a quick update on their pre-planting progress (or lack thereof, thanks to rain!), they dive into an honest conversation about the unseen pressures and struggles that come with the farming l...

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! In this heartfelt and timely episode, Jena and Mary Pat tackle a heavy topic that's on the minds of so many in agriculture right now: how to find hope and encourage your husband during a tough farm economy. Inspired by a vulnerable listener message, they set aside their planned topic to offer encouragement, practical advice, a...

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! In this inspiring episode, Jena and Mary Pat are thrilled to welcome their friend and fellow entrepreneur, Katie Dowson. As the founder of Seed Life, a mom of three girls, and a farm wife, Katie's story is one of faith, grit, and incredible passion. She shares her journey of leaving a job she hated to build a business from the...

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! As Holy Week approaches and the pre-planting buzz is in the air, Jena and Mary Pat sit down for a candid catch-up on everything happening in their worlds. After opening with a beautiful prayer for the Easter season and the upcoming planting rush, they dive into spring break recaps, health updates, and a powerful discussion about th...

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! As planting season quickly approaches, Jena and Mary Pat sit down for a much-needed catch-up on all the exciting things happening in their lives. From big business launches and ambitious new fitness goals to a major vehicle upgrade, this conversation is packed with life updates, practical tips, and a heartfelt reflection on what tr...

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! After a couple of weeks apart, Jena and Mary Pat are catching up on everything they've been up to, and this episode is all about Commodity Classic. With Jena holding down the fort at home, Mary Pat reports back from the massive farm show in San Antonio. From haunted hotels and exciting new ag tech to connecting with listeners...

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! In this incredibly practical episode, Jena and Mary Pat tackle the number one question they get asked: "How do you find the time?" Inspired by a listener question, they dive deep into the art and science of time management, prioritizing what truly matters, and building habits that stick. This isn't about finding more...

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! In this super-practical, listener-requested episode, Jena and Mary Pat are tackling a big question: "How do you transition to a healthier, non-toxic lifestyle without breaking the bank or losing your mind?" Drawing from their own years-long journeys, they offer a step-by-step guide to making cleaner swaps in your food, cl...

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life. This week, Jena and Mary Pat are tackling one of the most critical topics in agriculture: grain bin safety. They are joined by two special guests, sisters Missy and Maddie of "The Central Illinois Sisters," for a conversation that is both harrowing and hopeful. Missy shares her powerful, first-hand account of a near-fatal...

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops for the first episode of 2026! After a much-needed January break, your hosts Jena Ochsner and Mary Pat Sass are back behind the mics to catch up on life, travels, and what's on their hearts for the new year. This episode is a classic front-porch chat, filled with stories from their recent vacations, significant health updates, new hobbies, and their intentions...

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops for our final episode of the season! In this special solo episode, Jena is flying solo as Mary Pat is under the weather. After opening with a heartfelt prayer for health and a Christ-centered holiday season, Jena takes a moment to reflect on the year that was, the lessons learned, and what’s on the horizon for 2026. She shares a vulnerable and transparent look at h...

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! Get ready for another rapid-fire Q&A episode where Jena and Mary Pat tackle your heartfelt and practical questions. After opening with a prayer, they dive straight into some of the most relatable struggles of motherhood and farm life. From navigating the tough transition to being a stay-at-home mom and recovering from burnout,...

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! This week, Jena and Mary Pat are asking the question "What is Total Acre, and is it worth it?" They're joined by two very special guests who are deep in the trenches with this high-yield network: Mary Pat's husband Josh and fellow Wisconsin farmer Caleb Walters. From the community and networking to the data-driv...

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! As the Advent season begins, Jena and Mary Pat are kicking off the holidays with a fun, rapid-fire Q&A episode, tackling a sleigh-full of listener questions. After opening with a beautiful prayer for a Christ-centered season, they dive into everything from favorite Christmas traditions and non-toy gift ideas to the hilarious re...